Jacqui Lewis

The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is an author, activist, preacher, and public theologian who serves as senior minister and public theologian at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City's East Village. Lewis is the first African American and first woman to hold the position of senior minister in the Collegiate Church, a congregation with roots dating to 1628, recognized as the oldest continuous Protestant church in North America. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Lewis earned her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and holds both an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in psychology and religion from Drew University. She co-founded The Middle Project, an institute focused on training ethical faith leaders for a more just society.

A womanist theologian, Lewis has built a career at the intersection of faith, social justice, and community transformation. Under her leadership, Middle Collegiate Church has grown into a multicultural, multiethnic congregation of more than 2,000 members from 22 countries and 48 states. She advocates for racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and LGBTQIA+ rights through activism, preaching, writing, and teaching. Her academic work includes adjunct faculty appointments at Princeton Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, Graduate Theological Union, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary.

Lewis is the author of several works, including "The Power of Stories: A Guide for Leaders in Multiracial/Multicultural Congregations," "Ten Essential Strategies for Becoming a Multiracial Congregation," the children's book "You Are So Wonderful!," and "Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World." She hosts the "Love. Period." podcast, produced by the Center for Action and Contemplation, featuring conversations with artists, faith leaders, and changemakers. Her writing has appeared in publications including Harper's Bazaar, USA Today, Vox, Essence, Ebony, and The Amsterdam News.

Lewis's public presence extends beyond the pulpit. She has been featured on The Today Show, All In with Chris Hayes, AM Joy, The Melissa Harris Perry Show, ABC, NBC, PBS, and CBS. Her leadership contributed to Middle Church's national broadcast, "A Bold New Love: Christmas Eve with Middle Collegiate Church," which drew more than 1 million viewers. She has preached at the Festival of Homiletics, the Wild Goose Festival, and The American Church in Paris, and participated in the six-city Together Tour alongside author Glennon Doyle and guest Alicia Keys. Lewis was honored as the Franklin D. Roosevelt Institute Freedom of Worship Laureate and serves as a Democracy Fellow at the Public Religion Research Institute.

Following a six-alarm fire that destroyed Middle Church's 128-year-old sanctuary, Lewis rallied her congregation and supporters, raising more than $9 million toward a $10.5 million rebuilding fund and growing the church's membership by more than 500. Middle Church reopened its doors in the first phase of its rebuilding efforts, marking a significant moment for the congregation. Lewis's commitment to love, justice, and inclusion continues to influence faith communities and social justice movements nationwide.